Robert Donald Koplau was born April 8, 1941, to Lucille Marguerite (Westover) Koplau Glenwood, Minnesota and Alfred Julius Koplau Sabin, Minnesota in Los Angeles, California. He was found dead in his home on February 25, 2023, in Springfield, Oregon.

He was baptized May 12, 1941, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Los Angeles, California. He was Confirmed on June 7, 1952, at Sacred Heart Parish Glenwood, Minnesota.

He graduated in May1959 from St. John’s Preparatory School in Collegeville, Minnesota, in May 1963 from North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota with a BA in Business, and in June 1970 from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado with a BS in Forestry.

He was in the US Army from June 1963 to July 1991 and retired as Lieutenant Colonel with his last assignment at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

He worked for the US Forestry Service from June 1970 to January 1995; working in New Mexico, California, Wyoming, Montana, Arizona, and Oregon. He married Janice Susan Kelley on June 28, 1974, in Tucumcari, Quay, New Mexico.

He enjoyed his children, fishing, hunting, and dogs. Janice and Robert have three children: Rebecca Ann, John Paul, and Catharine Claire. They have five grandchildren. Bob had his marriage to Janice annulled and he was then married in the Catholic Church to Donna Lucille Harris/Powell May 27, 1991. Bob had four stepchildren from this marriage: Martin, Michelle, Heather, and Damon. Donna died October 31, 2014.

As a recovered alcoholic Bob recently celebrated 39 years of sobriety. Bob’s favorite prayer was GOD grant me the SERENITY to accept the things I cannot change, COURAGE to change the things I can, And WISDOM to know the difference.

He is survived by his sister Mary Ann (Tino) and sons Mark (Olivia) and Matthew.

Handling the Funeral is Major Family Funeral Home at 112 A Street, Springfield, Oregon 97477.

A Catholic Memorial Mass will be held at St. Alice Catholic Church at 1520 F Street, Springfield, Oregon 97477. This mass will include a Military Honor Service with the US Flag being given to Bob’s family.

“YOU HONORED US WITH YOUR SERVICE AND NOW LET US HONOR YOU”

“Please accept our condolences on the loss of your loved one. Rendering military funeral honors is one way to show the deep gratitude to those who, in times of war and peace, have faithfully defended our country. This ceremonial paying of respect is the final demonstration a grateful Nation can provide, and it is our commitment to recognize the sacrifice and contributions of our Nation's veterans. By law, an honor guard detail for the burial of an eligible veteran consists of at least two members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and at least one member of the detail must be a representative from the deceased veteran's service branch. The honor detail performs a ceremony that includes the playing of taps and the folding and presentation of the American flag to the next of kin.”